FORT FISHER, NC (WECT) – Of the nearly 60 Captains in the North Carolina Ferry System, just three are women, including
the Captain of one of the Fort Fisher-Southport ferries.

Marybeth Ray works in the pilot house of the "MV Southport," one of the two ferry vessels that make the daily run between Southport and Fort Fisher.

As a military brat, Ray's family moved a
lot, including spending a lot of time in the Bahamas.

"My dad moved the family to the Bahamas
when I was twelve years old, and that kind of set the tone for my life," said Ray.

That where she ran a marina, became a
civilian employee and even, while in high school, earned the rank of Boat
Captain.

She moved to our area and got a job with the
Ferry Division, and spent seven years as a deckhand and promoted to assistant
Captain.  In 2003, she became the Fort Fisher-Southport ferry route's
first female Captain.

BRUNSWICK COUNTY NC (WECT) – If you’re running low on gas, you may want to fill up sooner than later. There’s a good chance the price of gas could increase by the end of the day because of Tropical Storm Isaac.

Oil companies and gas operators in the gulf are evacuating offshore platforms and rigs that could wind up in Isaac’s path.

At least 24 percent of oil production and 8 percent of natural gas outputs have been halted.

Keep an eye on the lowest gas prices in Southport by checking out the WECT Pump Patrol. See low prices driving around? Report it on the Pump Patrol page so others are aware too.

Copyright 2012 WECT. All rights reserved.

BRUNSWICK COUNTY, NC (WECT) – Brunswick County ranks in as one of the top counties in the state for tourism expenditures according to a new study.

"The Economic Impact of Travel on North Carolina Counties” study was released this month showing tourism spending in all of North Carolina’s counties from last year.  This study was prepared for the North Carolina Division of Tourism, Film and Sports Development by the US Travel Association.

According to the study, people spent about $425 million on travel in the county. The county ranks as number 10 of 100 counties in the state. Neighboring New Hanover County ranks as number 9.

Here’s a look at how some counties in our area stack up.

9. New Hanover Co. - $425 million

10. Brunswick Co. - $418 million

45. Pender Co. -  $76 million

56. Columbus Co. - $46 million

 66. Bladen Co. - $34 million